Alumni
Determined to help other Latinx and first-generation college students like her, Xiomara Contreras ’17 became a mentor for the NAA’s Affinity Leaders and Learners (ALL) Mentorship Program. The program matches students to alumni with similar backgrounds, experiences and identities.
Since its inception more than 140 years ago, the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) has connected alumni to one another and the University through programs that spark intellectual growth, social bonds and professional development. To help foster inclusiveness, especially among historically underrepresented groups, the NAA plans to broaden outreach to more alumni.
Joseph Sun ’96 MBA, president of the NU Club of Taiwan, shares what brought him from Taipei, Taiwan, to Evanston and what has kept him connected to the Northwestern community for more than 20 years.
“Take pride in your story and who you are.” “You deserve to be here as much as your peers.” A group of new students received cards with these uplifting messages at the start of the 2019–20 school year. The encouraging words were for students who identified as first generation and low income — a population that has doubled at Northwestern in the past decade.
Once a shy high school student in suburban Washington, D.C., Jack Kang credits Northwestern for awakening his social side. More than three decades later, Kang’s once-latent outgoing spirit endures.
Northwestern Alumni Association President and trustee Larry Irving ’76 shares why he is focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and discusses the importance of listening to alumni and students.
Launched by the Northwestern Alumni Association last fall, the Senior Mentorship Program engages the global alumni network to help seniors prepare for the next step amid a pandemic that has
diminished job prospects.
diminished job prospects.
MaryAnn Ihejirika Marsh grew up hearing about Northwestern, where her father met the people who helped his wife and children escape war-torn Nigeria and find refuge in America. If it hadn’t been for her father’s experience at Northwestern, she might not be here today.
The Northwestern Alumni Association’s career programs moved to an all-virtual format after the pandemic began. Amid increasing uncertainty in the job market and high unemployment rates, the NAA offers a range of virtual learning and mentorship programs for alumni at all stages of their careers, whether they are looking for their first job, making a change or seeking professional development.
Several alumnae groups make an impact that is felt across Northwestern — through financial support for people and programs, the creation of continuing education programs that share the University’s academic resources with the greater community, and professional opportunities that develop the next generation of women leaders.
